Winter Lord: Starting with Daily Intelligence

Chapter 13 Planning
Louis pressed his head, the information about the territory swirling in his mind.

He began to develop a future industrial plan for the Red Tide Territory based on the information he already had.

After all, it's unrealistic to rely solely on the intelligence system and other windfalls to support nearly a thousand people; the Red Tide Territory needs some stable industries.

Once he had processed the information in his mind, he looked up at Hilko and said, "I'll tell you, you write it down."

Hilko forced himself to stay awake and nodded subconsciously.

“Send these 100 fishermen to the riverbank immediately.” Louis pointed to the winding river on the map with his pen. “First, build a temporary dock and prepare the fishing boats in advance to prepare for the resumption of fishing.”

Although there aren't many fish now, once the water temperature rises, large schools of fish will migrate upstream to spawn. At that time, the catch will become one of the most important food sources for the Red Tide Territory.

In the future, we will also consider establishing aquaculture areas along the riverbanks.

If we can successfully breed fish adapted to cold waters, we will be able to develop our own aquaculture industry instead of relying solely on wild fishing.

“Okay.” Hilko wrote down the lord’s key points one by one.

"Besides fisheries, agriculture and animal husbandry should not be neglected either."

We currently have over four hundred farmers, and our focus is on land reclamation. Louis drew a line on the map indicating a hot but cold region. "Hot spring water can be used to thaw the land and prepare irrigation systems in advance."

The soil here isn't particularly fertile, but with proper use of the geothermal area, it's not much different. The first crops planted were rye and potatoes; these crops are cold-resistant and can grow in this land.

"Ok."

"As for animal husbandry..." Louis paused, recalling the livestock on his territory, "the number of livestock on the territory is too small right now, and the existing cattle, sheep and reindeer are simply not enough to support large-scale farming."

I will send people to Frostspear City to purchase more livestock, and at the same time establish a special livestock district to develop animal husbandry.

“Okay.” Hilko nodded, though tired, she carefully noted down each instruction.

Next, Louis drew a circle on the map around the Red Tide Territory forest area.

“We have over fifty experienced hunters who, in addition to their daily hunting, can also scout out the forest’s perimeter. Keep the monsters away and prevent any unknown forces from infiltrating.”

"Finally, there are the craftsmen brought from Frostspear City. Leatherworkers prioritize making winter clothes, blacksmiths forge farm tools, and carpenters build houses."

A workshop could also be established to bring all the artisans together, allowing them to collaborate and recruit apprentices, thus forming a complete production chain.

Louis spoke quickly, each sentence sounding like a decision he had rehearsed countless times in his mind.

Hilko originally didn't have much affection for the title of "lord".

The nobles he remembered were hypocritical, arrogant, and full of empty talk about benevolence and morality, yet they treated their subjects like livestock.

His initial impression of Louis was that he was just a kind-hearted person.

But now he's starting to change his mind.

This lord is not only kind-hearted, but also knows how to use the resources at his disposal.

This guy is pretty good. Hilko felt a surge of admiration.

And so Louis carried out the plan step by step, and the Red Tide Territory officially began operation!

The campfire illuminated the busy figures of people, wisps of smoke rose from the chimneys, hunters prepared to set off, fishermen began repairing their boats, and the sound of craftsmen's hammers echoed in the air...

This land, which had been silent for so long, slowly awakened under Louis's arrangement.

…………

Spring has quietly arrived, but most of the northern lands are still covered by snow and cannot be cultivated.

However, the land beneath Louis's feet was different.

The soil was soft and moist, carrying the unique life force of spring.

This was thanks to Louis's order a week earlier to channel hot spring water into the fields, using geothermal energy to melt the frozen soil.

Now, the land, frozen all winter, has finally softened, and the wasteland, which was originally unsuitable for cultivation, is gradually coming back to life.

Is this really the land of the North?

A farmer picked up a handful of soil, feeling its warm, moist texture, and couldn't help but sigh.

Upon hearing this, the people around also bent down to touch it, their faces full of surprise.

"The hot water really thawed the permafrost!" "They can actually plant crops in the North in early spring!"

Excited discussions rose and fell across the fields.

Of course, using hot spring water to thaw frozen soil is only a temporary measure. Hot spring water has a high salt content, and if it is used repeatedly, it may turn the land into saline-alkali land that cannot be cultivated.

We'll need to develop greenhouse cultivation when conditions are right.

Standing next to Louis was a middle-aged man whose clothes were covered in mud and hay.

His name was Mick, and he was the agricultural officer of the Red Tide Territory.

Mick was originally just one of the slaves, unknown and not good with words.

If it weren't for the daily intelligence system, Louis probably would never have noticed that among a group of slaves, there was a slave who was skilled in farming.

He has an exceptional talent for farming and even an almost instinctive intuition about soil, crops, and climate.

When Louis found Mick, announced his release from slavery, and appointed him as the agricultural officer of the Red Tide Territory.

Mick couldn't even believe his ears; this was something he never dared to dream of.

He was tongue-tied and didn't know how to express his gratitude, so he just silently buried himself in the fields and gave it his all.

Today is the day to apply base fertilizer to the red tide-affected farmland.

Mick scooped up a handful of damp soil, gently crushed it between his fingertips, and smiled with satisfaction.

He looked up at Louis, wiping his rough hands on the hem of his clothes: "Sir, everything is ready."

“In that case, let’s begin.” Louis nodded.

"Everyone, plow the fields!" Mick shouted the order.

The order was carried out swiftly, and hundreds of farmers bent down and plunged their iron plows deep into the soil.

"So soft and fluffy!"

"There's even heat coming from this soil!"

The softening of the soil has delighted many farmers who once worked in the North.

All of this is thanks to Louis's ingenious ideas.

The people's admiration for Louis has increased once again.

Watching the farmers diligently tilling the land, Louis asked, "Is the fertilizer ready?"

“We’ve been ready for a long time!” Mick waved his hand in response.

A dozen or so wooden carts slowly drove into the fields, piled high with dark fertilizer that emitted a strong, pungent odor.

This is a special base fertilizer that Louis ordered to be collected and produced as soon as he arrived in the territory.

It is made from a mixture of human and animal excrement, straw, fish entrails, and clod powder (a product of alchemy).

Human and animal excrement and straw provide basic nutrients, while fish viscera are rich in organic matter.

Not only can clods powder greatly improve fertility, but it can also effectively prevent pest infestation, allowing seeds to have a better growing environment after sowing.

The strong smell of fertilizer filled the air, making people's noses sting.

Some people frowned, but no one complained.

Even Louis, the lord, did not show the slightest disdain.

After all, they all knew that only these fertilizers could bring a better harvest.

The farmers methodically spread fertilizer into the tilled soil and then mixed it evenly with hoes, allowing the nutrients to fully penetrate the soil.

"We can plant the seeds in four days." Mick stomped on the soil, a satisfied look on his face.

Louis stood there for a while, and after confirming that everything was correct, he turned and left.

It wasn't that he disliked the pungent smell of the fertilizer, but rather that his daily intelligence system had updated with three rather useful pieces of information that he needed to process.

(End of this chapter)